Real Madrid show patience with Xabi Alonso after Clasico defeat

Pressure without panic

Real Madrid have once again found themselves reflecting after a setback against Barcelona, but the mood inside the club is more measured than the noise outside. According to Goal.com, senior figures at the Santiago Bernabeu believe the current situation calls for analysis rather than decisive action, even after missing out on early silverware.

Alonso has been under scrutiny since returning to Madrid in the summer of 2025, with expectations naturally high for a former player who knows the club’s demands. While defeats to Barcelona rarely pass quietly, there is an understanding that the current project is still in its early stages.

A challenging first season

Alonso replaced Carlo Ancelotti after impressing in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, where his tactical approach and calm leadership earned widespread praise. His return to Madrid was viewed internally as a long term appointment rather than a short term gamble.

Results have been mixed. Madrid did manage to end a run of Clasico defeats with a league victory in October, but that progress was checked by a 3,2 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia. That defeat left Madrid with five losses in their last six meetings with their biggest rivals, a statistic that has not gone unnoticed by president Florentino Perez and the board.

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Trust remains intact

Despite renewed speculation, Alonso is not facing an immediate threat to his position. According to AS journalist Jose Feliz Diaz, the club’s leadership remains supportive. He wrote that despite the defeat against Barcelona, the manager’s job is not in danger and that this is a moment for reflection and problem solving.

Diaz also reported that there was no ultimatum attached to the Super Cup final, with club officials believing the performance itself offered reasons for encouragement rather than alarm. While defeat never strengthens a coach’s position at Madrid, this particular loss was not viewed as decisive.

Injuries shape the discussion

One of the key factors influencing Madrid’s stance is the team’s physical condition. According to Diaz, injuries have become a central concern behind the scenes, often disrupting Alonso’s plans from one match to the next.

He reported that the club’s immediate priority is improving fitness levels and reducing the steady flow of muscle injuries that have affected the squad. Recent setbacks in both the semi final and final of the Super Cup underlined the scale of the problem, shifting internal focus away from the head coach and toward conditioning and medical planning at Valdebebas.

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Planning without panic buys

Madrid are also unlikely to seek solutions in the January transfer window. Diaz reported that there has been no serious discussion about winter signings, as the club traditionally sees limited value in mid season deals.

Instead, Alonso and his squad face a demanding run of fixtures, beginning with a Copa del Rey trip to Albacete, followed by important domestic and European matches. For now, Real Madrid’s hierarchy appears committed to stability, betting that improved fitness and time will bring clarity to a season still very much in progress.

Sources: Goal.com, AS

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